Fire-extinguishing apparatus.



C. H. MEIGS.

FIRE EXTI NGUISHING APPARATUS.

APPLICATION FILED FEB. 7. I918.

1,287,388, Patented Dec. 10,1918.

scrapes rrnrrr snipe.

CHARLES H. MEIGS,'OF PHILADELPI-lIA, PENNSYLVANIA, ASSIGNOR TO MAGANDREWS FORBES CQMPA "51', 0F CAMDEN. NEW JERSEY, A CORPORATION OF NEW JERSEY.

FilIBE-EXTINGUISHING APPARATUS.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Dec. 10, 1918.

Application filed February 7, 1918. Serial no. 215,735.

To ail whom it may concern:

lie it known that I, Qimnnns H. Mews, a citizen of the United States, residing at 'hiladelphia, in the county ofPhiladelphia and State/of Pennsylvania, have invented new and useful Improvements in Fire-Extinguishing Apparatua of which the following is a specification; I

This invention relates to improvements in fireeextinguishingapparatus, and more particularly to apparatus designed for use in connection with extinguishing of fires by manual manipulation of a vessel carrying the component solutions bf an cxtinguishing medium.

The invention is designed for operation under the general principles; pointed out in the application of Fraulein. Epps, Ser. No. 180,458, in which the component solu-' tions of a fireextinguishing compound of the foam-extinguishing type, are normally maintained separate and free from pressure in a receptacle which can be manually manipulated, the receptacle structure being so' arranged that the contents of the receptacle can be dashed or thrown toward or dumped upon the point of application (the fire), the component arts or r the solution more or less commixing while traveling from the receptacle to the point of, application, thus bringing about a condition where a foam eii'ect'is started priorto the solution components reaching the point of application. Various ways of arranging the receptacle to roduce compartment eflects are pointed out in the said up lication and in other applications by mysel the present invention being designed more par ticularly for the purpose of producing this compartment formation in asimple and etllcient manner with compare 'tively low cost, and at the'same time in such forms-s will permit the structural elements to be readily shipped in compact form.

Another feature otthe invention is the provision. of a closure for th receptacle which will noima-lly tend to inaintain the solution components in serviceable condi tion, but which is readily and more or less automatically removed from position to permit the dasbin i or dumping action taking place inan e cient manner.

To these and other ends, the nature of which will be readily understood as the invention is hereinafter disclosed, said in vention consistsin the improved construc tion and combination of parts hereinafter fully described,illustrated in the accompanying drawings, and more particularly pointed out in the appended claims.

In the-accompanying dranvings, in which similar reference characters indicate similar parts in each of the views:

Figure 1 is a vertical sectional view of a preferred embodiment of the present inventron.

Fig.- 2 is a view partly in section and partly in elevation showing a plurality of outer receptacles nested together for transportation purposes.

Fig. 3 is a similar viewshowing a p1urality of the inner receptacles nested together for similar purpose.

Fig. 4 is a sectional view with parts broken away aid on an enlarged scale indicatmg the general action which takes place when the cover is being removed automatically.

l ne-extinguishing compounds of the foam-extinguishinv type are produced by the commixture 0? an acid solution and a soda solution, one or both of which carries an ingredient which, when the solution components are commixed, operates to produce a condition oi foam which can be described an aqueous blanket. This foam forma tion is non-existent while the solution coinponeuts remain separate, but is brought into existence when the solution components begm COInlIllXlIlg or 1nternnngling, ithe foam structure remaining intact for a, shortpe lied and then deteriorating; Various forms of apparatus for providing this foam formation have been employed, and these include the general idea of forming compartments in a receptacle of such type as Wlll permit hand manipulation of the receptacle to dash or dump the contents, suli structuresbeing disclosed in the applications above referred to.

In the present embodiment of this general type, the compartment formation is pro vided by employingtwo receptacles or vessels which differ in diameter but which are preferably axially alined, thus forming an inner compartment within the inner receptacle and an annular outer compartment between the walls of the two receptacles, so that when the contents are dashed or mped, the solution component of the inner compartment will, during travel of the solutions, more or less intersect the travel of the solution component from the outer compartment, thus bringing about the intermingling or comn'iixing action desired.

As shown in Fig. 1, the outer receptacle may be in the form of a pail or bucket 10, preferably increasing in diameter toward its open end, 11 indicating the inner receptacle-also preferably increasing in diameter toward its open en dthese receptacles being generally of circular contour so as to provide a more or less concentric relation therebetween when arranged on the coincident axis referred to. The inner receptacle is preferably of less depth than that of the o'hter receptacle.

The two receptacles are removably connected together at their bottoms, a preferred arrangement being by a screw-threaded connection, the male member 10 being carried by the bottom of vessel 10, the female member 11 by the bottom of vessel 11. As shown, these members are preferably of comparatively large diameter, thus providing a line of securing engagement of considerable length peripherally as well as locating this securing line toward the outer periphery of the bottom of the inner vessel 11, thus insuring greater stability to the assembly in use. The male and female members may be provided in any desired manner, either as an integral structure with the bottoms or as separate elements secured to the receptacle bottoms.

As will be readily understood, this arrangement permits the inner receptacle to be bodily removed from its position within the outer receptacle by a simple unthreading movement, the inner receptacle remaining intact when removed. As a result, should it be desired at any time to change the contents of either receptacle-deterioration in the solution components may occur after an extended period of non-useit can be had by simply removing the inner receptacle bodily with its cutouts, the contents of the outer receptacle remaining therein; hence, the several receptacles can be dumped atseparate points and thus avoid the creation of a foamy condition such as may result if both eceptacles are dumped at the same point.

Another advantage of this particular arrangement lies in the fact that the inner receptacle can be treatedas by coatingto withstand the eti'ects of the acidthis receptacle being adapted to carry the acid solution component of the compom1d--and at the same time the interior of the outer receptacle may be similarly tpeated if desired, the presence of the inwardly project ing member of each bottom not material affecting the ability to provide this treating operation.

Another feature however, and this is of material advantage in transportation, is the ability to separate the two receptacles in this manner, leaving each of a configuration such as will enable a plurality of similar reeepi tacles to be nested together, as indicated in Figs. 2 and 3, this result being obtained by the more or less flared formation of each receptacle, and the absence of any material obstruction within a receptacle to prevent such nesting operation, thereby enabling shipme'lof a number of the receptacle structures in compact form. And, as will be understood, the lowermost inner receptacle may be threaded to the uppermost outer receptacle of the nested series of each, thus enabling the two series to be so located as to reduce the amount of space required for packing or other purposes. Since the male and female members are complementally formed to provide universal mating relation, it will be readily understood that a vessel of each nested series can be readily taken therefrom and assembled by a simple threading action, or, if desired, the solution components'may be placed within the two receptacles before assembly, the positioning of the inner receptacle serving to locate the contents of the outer receptacle in proper position.

The outer receptacles are preferably pro-.

vided with a suitable handle 12. The inner receptacle need not be provided with a handle structure, since its bead will enable the desired operation to be had; obviously, however, the inner receptacle may carry a handle or other simple formation for carrying it about. when desired.

As shown in Figs. 1 and 1, I preferably provide a cover for the assembled recepta eles, this cover being of a more or less special contour, although the latter may be varied, As shown, the cover, indicated generally at 13, is provided with a depressed central portion 13*, the rising walls of which are preferably inclined outwardly, as at 13", these Walls leading into a horizontal portion 13. which provides the cover outer periphery of the cover is formed by a down-turned bead or flange 13. As

seat, while the,

shown, the rising walls 13 are of less diameter than the open-top of receptacle 10, and the width of portion 13 is preferably greater than the width of rolled or beaded top 10 of the receptacle, the cover thus being loosely mounted on the upper edge of the receptacle, the under face of portion 13 resting or seating on the top of roll portion 1.0", as shown in Fig. 1. Since the cover neeageee is of metal of comparatively heavy gage,

the weight ofthe cover will 'be sufiicient to normally maintain it seated, the loose mounting not being disadvantageous, since shifting of the cover onthe top of the receptacle does not tend to expose the interior of the latter. Obviously, shifting will be restricted bythe rising walls 13* and the bead 13 When, however; the assembly is manually manipulated for dashing the contents, thus shifting the axes of the receptacles from the vertical to a more .or less inclined position, the weight of the cover will cause it to shift under gravitation, thus bringing the lower portion of the rising wall l3 into action in connection with the adjacent rounded edge of the receptacle, While that portion of the bead 13 which is at the top oi the assembly in this position will contact with the outer rounded surface of the roll portion 10 of the outer receptacle, thus bringing about a relation ofbead 13 and roll portion 10" by which head 18 will readily ride up over roll portion. 10 thus freeing the cover from restraint of the head portion 13 whereupon the entire Weight of the cover is placed upon the contacting rising wall 13", the width of the seat l3permitting a partialraising action by wall 13 before bead 13 is freed from restraint. And since the general configuration of the rising wall is such as to provide a more or less camlilre action under these conditions, it' Willbe readily understood that the release of the bead will permit the cover to be automatically shunted oil from the receptacle by this cam act-ion, leaving both receptacles with their tops entirely open.

This general operation is shown more particularly in =1, and it will. be evident that it permits of more eliicient operation of the apparatus through the fact that there is no requirement of firstinanipulating a cover manually in such manner as to release it, thus eliminating one source of delay in placing the. apparatus into actionit being obvious that the excitement naturally presentat a time when the apparatus must be placed in use would tend to increase the difficulty of disengaging or releasing the cover. Bythe general cove-r formation re ferred to, however, this removal diiiiculty is entirely obviated, since it is only necessary to grasp the outer receptacle by its handle and 'bottom-the usual manner of grasping a pail-and swinging the pail as is usual to provide the impetus to the contents, the cover falling or dropping oil during this general movement so that the contents are free to be dashed out or dumpedby the conlinua-tion of this general manipulation.

W liile I have herein shown and described a preferred embodiment of the invention, it w ill be readilv understood that the same may require changes or modifications to meet the exigencies of particular or desired use, and I desire to reserve the right to make any and allsucli changes or modifications as may be found necessary or desirable in so far as the same may fall within the spirit and scope of the invention expressed in the accompanying claims when broadly construed.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new, is: l

1. In apparatus for extinguishing fires by an extinguishing compound formed from a plurality or" foam-producing solution com ponents adapted to form a charge vfor the apparatus and normally maintained free from pressure'and in non-contacting juxtaposition with adjacent charge components differing from each other as to solution components, and wherein vthe extinguishing charge is rend-cred active by bringing; the seyeral components of the charge into commixing" relation through dashing or dumping the charge to simultaneously move the solution components toward the Joint of application, a manually manipu able vessel comprising inner and outer receptacles separably secured together to provide indepen dent open-top compartments for the solution components and with one compartment of annular formation and location relative to an adjacent compartment.

2. In apparatus of he class described, a manually-1nanipulable vessel comprising in ner and outer receptacles dili'ering from each other as to internal dimensions, and means for detachably securing said vessels together to provide independent open-top compartments for the solution components with one compartment of annular formation and location relative to an adjacent compartment.

3. In apparatus of the class described, a n1anuallysmanipulable vessel comprising inner and outer receptacles difi'ering from each other as to internal dimensions, and means for detachably securing said vessels together through connection of the respeelive bottoms of the receptacles, said means locating the assembled receptacles to pro-. vide independent open-top compartments for the solution components with one compartment of annular formation relative to an adjacentcompartment.

-l. In apparatus of the class described, a manually-manipulable vessel comprising inner and outer receptacles (littering from.

its

each other as to internal LiilUQDSlDHS, the botrecs tacles to provide independent open-top courLfrtments for the solution components with one compartment of annular formation relative to an adjacent compartment.

In apparatus of the class described, a nnanuallyammipulable vessel comprising inner and outer receptacles differing from each other as to internal dimensions, the bot: toms of said receptacles having complemental elements for providing a threaded engagement therebetween, the relative locations of said elements being such as to locate the assembled receptacles to provide independent open-top compartments for the solution components-with one compartment of annular formation relative to an adjacent compartment.

6. In apparatus for extinguishing fires by an extinguishing compound formed from a plurality of foam-producing solution components adapted to form a charge for the apparatus and normally maintained tree from pressure and in non-contacting juxtaposition with adjacent charge components differing from each other as to solution components, and wherein the extinguishing charge is rendered active by bringing the several components of the charge into commiXing relation through dashing or dumping the charge to simultaneously move the solution components toward the point of application, a manually-mampulahle vessel comprising inner and outer receptacles separably secured togethcr'to provide independent open-top compartments for the solution components and with one compartment of annular formation and location relative to an adjacent compartment, each receptacle having a configuration whereby a plurality of similar receptacles may be nested together for transiwrtation.

7. In apparatus of the class described, a manually-manipulable vessel comprisin inner and outer receptacles differing rom each other as to internal dimensions, the bottoms of said receptacles having complemental elements for providing a threaded engagement thercbetween, the relative locations of said elements being such as'to locate the assembled receptacles to provide independent open-top compartments for the solution components with one compartment of annular tormation relative to an adjacent compartment, said receptacles having individual configurations whereby a plurality of similar receptacles may be nested together for transportation or storage purposes, the threaded connection of a receptacle of one nested class with a receptacle of the other class permitting transportation or storage of a plurality of receptacles of both classes in compact form.

8. In apparatus for extinguishing fires by dashing or dumping a fire-extinguishing charge to the point of application, and wherein the charge is formed from solution components normally maintained free from pressure and in noncontacting juxtaposition to prevent comnnxture of charge com- .ponents prior to the dashing or dumping action, a vessel having open-top compartinents for receiving and storing the charge fa'nd manually manipulable to produce the dashing or dumping action, and a cover for said vessel. said cover having a cross-seccharge to the point of application, a vessel having open-top compartments for receiving and storing the charge and manually manlpulable to produce the (lashing or dumping action, said vessel having a roll or bead at its top, and a cover for the vessel, said cover having a diameter greater than said vessel and having a depressed portion adapted to loosely project into the interior of the vessel with the rising wall of the depression inclined outwardly toward the normal plane of the cover, said cover having its outer eriphery in the form of a bead, said cover eing positionable on the vessel with the cover bead and rising wall on opposite sides of the rolled or beaded top of the vessel, said cover and vessel configurations normally preventing relative shifting movements sufficient to expose the interior of the vessel and adapted to permit automatic displacement of the cover to permit free discharge of the charge components when the vessel is manipulated in the dashing or dumping action.

10. In apparatus for extinguishing fires by dashing or dumping a fire-extinguishing charge to the point of application, a vessel having open-top compartments for receiving and storing the charge and manually manipulable to produce the dashing or dumping action, said vessel having a roll or head at its top, and a cover for the vessel, said cover having a diameter greater than said vessel and having a depressed portion adapted to loosely project into the interior of the vessel with the rising wall of the depression inclined outwardly toward the normal plane of the cover, said cover having its outer periphery in the. form of a bead, said cover being-positionable on the vessel with the cover bead and rising wall on opposite sides of the rolled or beaded top of the vessel, the distance between the rising wall and head of the cover being greater than the width of the rolled edge top of the vessel to form a cover-supporting seat adapted to permit shifting movements of the cover on-the vessel, said. rising wall and the'cover bead normally preventing relative shifting move ments suflicient to expose the interior of th vessel, the relative spacing of said wall are bead permitting shifting inevenients sufficient to permit the rising Wall to raise a cover portion in advance 0ft freeing the cover from the restraint of the cover bead-When the vessel is manipulated to provide the (lumping or dashing actiofi.

, In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand in presence of a SHbSCIllJlIlg Wit- 

